How to Troubleshoot Sound Problems in Windows XP

No modern PC can and should do without sound. Windows XP as well as a lot of applications use sounds to give feedback to the user, or to signal an event happening. And when you play an MP3 file or watch some video, you definitely want to hear sound from your speakers or headset. Another typical area where sound problems can come up is while making voice calls over the internet. Skype, AI, MSN, Yahoo, GoogleTalk, the all are very suited for voice calls.

When you are facing audio problems, a structured way of finding the cause can be helpful. We will skip the steps where you check if everything is plugged properly, since that should always be the case. If your audio card uses jack sensing technology, make sure you select the proper device when asked about it (when plugging devices). Follow the green = speakers, pink = microphone and things should be okay.

Sound Errors in Windows XP

In some cases you will see a concrete error that can help you fix the sound problem in Windows XP. The media player you are using can give an error, or you can check the Device Manager and see an error on the audio device.
Typical examples of sound errors in Windows XP are:

WAV sound playback error detected

Your audio hardware cannot play files like the current file

No wave device that can play files in the current format is installed

Windows Media Player cannot play the file

This device cannot start. (Code 10)

The drivers for this device are not installed. (Code 28)

It is also possible that there is no error, but:

there is simply no sound

the sound is not working for internet pages

the sound only works on a headset and not on the speakers

sound is of bad quality

surround sound is not working.

In all cases it could be an audio configuration problem, but often it is a driver problem. The best approach is to go through the steps below and check each aspect.

Steps to Fix Sound Problems

If you have an onboard audio card, you need to make sure the onboard audio device is enabled in the Bios. Instruction will vary per motherboard, so you need to follow the instructions in your PC or motherboard manual for this. If you are using a separate sound card, the onboard should be disabled of course!

In Windows XP, open the Device Manager (open the Control Panel -> double-click the System icon -> in System Properties dialog box, select Hardware tab -> click Device Manager button).

In the Device Manager, open the “Sound, video and game controllers” group. Here you should see your audio device as shown in the image.

If the sound device is not listed, check if any devices are listed in the “Other devices” or “Unknown devices” group, most likely with a yellow exclamation mark.

If the device is not listed or if devices are listed under the “Unknown devices” group, the most likely cause is a missing or incorrect device driver. If you have the sound driver for the sound device, (re)install the sound drivers. If you do not have the drivers the easiest method is to use a driver update tool.

If updating the drivers does not work, you need to find the cause of the problematic device.

If the sound device is listed in the Device Manager, and you still do not have sound, first open the Control Panel.

In the Control Panel, double-click “Sounds and Audio Devices”.

In the first screen, with the Volume tab active, make sure the Mute checkbox is not selected and that the volume slider is close to High.

Next, click the Advanced button, and in the Advanced Audio Properties dialog box, make sure you have a valid Speaker setup. At least make sure it is not set to “No speakers”. Click OK when done.

Now click the Speaker Volume button. Both the Left and Right speaker volume should be close to High. Click OK when done.

In the Sound playback group, you want to set the Default device to your sound card device. Part of the name will normally match with the name you found in the device manager.

Also click the Volume button in the Sound playback group and adjust the Volumes to a high enough level. The Volume Control will show the mixer, which does depend on the audio device installed. The sample has a SoundMax audio card. Clear all the Mute checkboxes.

You can repeat these steps for the MIDI music playback.

Although not a frequent problem, check if the Audio Service is running:

Select Administrative Tools in the Control Panel.

Then double-click Component Services, which will open a separate window.

In the left-hand pane, click Services (Local).

In the right-hand pane, scroll down to the Windows Audio service and make sure it is not disabled. If necessary, right-click Windows Audio, in the popup menu select Properties and then set the startup type to Automatic.

If you have sound problems in games, you can check the sound card resources. Especially older games have limited detection of sound cards in respect to resources (IRQ, I/O address range).

Test Sound with an Application

With these steps, you have checked and adjusted the sound setup in Windows XP. If sound problems still persist, chances are there are problems with the sound settings in the application you are using. If the sound problems are present for all applications, there probably is something wrong with the hardware.

The best application to test your sound setup with is the Windows Media Player, as it will use the standard Windows sound setup, which you just verified and adjusted.
One setting in the Windows Media Player that needs to be verified is the DirectSound device.

Open the Windows Media Player.

In the Media Player, select Options in the Tools menu (press the Alt key to show the menu if not visible).

In the Options dialog box, select the Devices tab.

Now select the Speakers device and click the Properties button.

In the Speaker Properties dialog box, select the audio device to use for Sound playback. By default it will have Default DirectSound Device selected, but you can change it to the DirectSound device that is listed for your audio device.

Also clear the Use 24-bit audio for audio CDs for now to make sure that this Performance setting is not causing any problems.

Click OK to close the Speaker Properties and then click OK again to close the Options dialog box.

For testing purposes, use an audio file that was installed with Windows XP. These audio samples are standard audio files, which do not require any additional or special audio codes.

Other applications that use sound will normally have a similar option to change the sound device selection and volume. For games, the sound setup is particularly sensitive. The right and latest device driver is often required.

Audio and Video Codecs

When a computer plays an audio or video file, it will decode the audio or video data to be played with the sound device. Each different audio and video format requires its own decoder, or codec. One of the possible problems with no sound is that the right audio codec or video codec is not installed.

If your standard audio files do play, but a certain MP3, AVI or WMV file does not produce audio, the first thing to try is to install missing codecs. You can try and find out which codec is required and then find and install that code, but luckily there are a number of codec packages that can be downloaded and installed.

One of the most used codec packages is the K-Lite Codec Pack. With that installed most audio and video should play without problems … and with sound. There are more of course, a quick internet search can help you find others.

Find Out Which Sound Card Is Installed

Knowing exactly what type of sound card is installed in your computer can be of great help in looking for solutions to sound problems. It can help you find the right sound driver, look up software and maybe help search the internet for more targetted problem descriptions based on manufacturer and model.

One handy way of finding out which sound card is installed is to use a program like Belarc Advisor. It will analyze your system and tell you about your hardware and software.

My mom’s computer is not letting her open up the Sounds and Audio Devices within Control Panel. Her computer will also not let her double-click on the Speaker icon close to the time in the SysTray. Do you know how to get around this, and make it work again? She still does not have sound, but all lights are green with the Dell speakers that she has plugged into the computer. We also hooked up some other speakers into the computer to see if it was a speaker issue, and those speakers did not work either, whereas they were working fine on the computer that they were plugged into.

@Spencer – The speaker lights will only indicate if they have power, which is fine (and it should be considering they work on another computer).

Did you open up the Device Manager (Control Panel, System, Hardware tab) and check is there is a working audio device in the “Sounds, video and game controllers” group?
It looks like there is no (working) audio device in the computer.

Anthony

hugo on
Wed, 15th Apr 2009 12:48 am

Hi, so i helped this friend that couldnt connect to the internet, because he has a really crapy computer and had too many programs on it, i went to add and remove programs and i remove the programs that he didnt use for more than few years like 2007, and since he bought the computer from someone else i remove some programs that havent been used for like 2 months or more. Now he can get into the internet fine and the computer works good but he called me today and told me that he has no sound. he try to go on youtube and had no sound. what do you think it could be?

@hugo – I assume you have tried the steps in the article.
So this means you have a working audio device and the volume levels are adjusted.

Did your friend try anything else to play audio? If he uses Windows Media Player to play a WAV or MP3 file, does that do anything?

The first thing to check if Adobe Flash Player is installed. Youtube and others use Flash to stream and play audio and video. You can test it at the Adobe site:http://www.adobe.com/software/flash/about/
It will tell you if Flash is installed and which version. In not installed, you need to download and install the Flash player.

Another thing that could be valid is that the audio codecs somehow were removed.
You can install a codec pack to make sure the right codecs are installed. The most common and complete one is K-Lite: http://codecguide.com/

Anthony

bir on
Tue, 12th May 2009 1:47 pm

I am using windows XP in my vestro DEL laptop. My computer’s sound was working perfectly. But after I tried to use an external speaker, my computer sound is not wirking as normal. it has annoying sound. In addition to this the booting time is now increased. Generally my computer become very slow.
So could you please tell me the reason?

@bir – In itself the use of external speakers should not affect the sound of the laptop, unless you have a loose audio plug which was the result of the attempt with the speakers.
Software-wise the plugging of external speakers does not change anything, but you can check your audio setup, to make sure the speaker configuration is set up for the internal laptop speakers.

The boot time also should not be the result of your speaker exercise. You can check the device manager to see if you have any unknown devices, which could cause Windows to look for drivers during boot.

I ran across these posts because I am trying to figure out a very bizarre bug in a flash file I have produced. This flash file loads external swfs and sound, and on every computer os works great EXCEPT Windows XP. The weird thing is why it stops working: When the Windows Audio Service is disabled, the flash doesn’t work. When it’s enabled, it works fine.

Does anyone have any idea why this might be, and/or how to get around it?

I guess it’s in an instance where the user had disabled the Audio Service manually. I guess this is probably rare, but due to the nature of the client I’m working with, there may actually be a few people who have similarly disabled it.

We’ve tested the file a few times with the Audio Service enabled and it works exactly as it should; testing it a few times with the Audio Service disabled, we get a flash file that plays but all button interaction is disabled. More specifically, any button action which loads an external file is disabled.

@Sarah – One option is to include a small program that turns on the Audio Service, which you can do in .NET (VB/C#), but that does depend on whether you will have the user rights to execute such a program.
The only other option is to remove the sound from the file…

I have a an audio problem that is hard to describe. It ssssssoundssss lllllike ttttthis; but only for a few seconds, once file source loads, I can replay it with less studdering, but it still studders a bit. I have Windows xp media center; have done the troubleshooting above and elsewhere and have yet to come across any answers.

@Charie – What program are you using for audio playback? Have you tried any other? If not, try VLC Media Player and see if that has the same.
And does this happen with all files, audio and video files?

Charlie on
Fri, 21st Aug 2009 5:13 am

Anthony

I’m using Realtek HD and the problem is with both audio and video. Worked fine until last weekend when I had bunch of viruses. I got those cleaned (I think; system is still fairly slow, I have HLMK in startup; can you point me in the direction of that subject, too?) Any suggestions on the sound, let me know. It’s late here in PA and i’ll try the VLC tomorrow.

Really appreciate your getting back to me.

Charlie

makoy on
Thu, 24th Sep 2009 6:23 am

hi..i reformatted my pc and after installing the driver of my motherboard..there is no sounds yet..i am using realtek and it says that the device is working properly..what would be the problem?

@makoy – Did you go through the steps in the article? If the device is working properly, and you are certain that the right audio drivers are installed, it can only be the sound device selection in the program or the volume of the sound device. Have you checked those? What program are you using for playing sound?

I have been having trouble since past few days.. Guess its a bug, but cant find reference any where.. While working suddenly suddenly windows bottom tool bar colour and changes as if something has been changed in background.. sometimes it restores to default blue after few seconds, sometimes i hav to restart the system. But inevitably sound is off and going to sound properties via control panel shows all options as subdued (as if disabled). I have to go to services.msc->windows audio and start the service again. Restarting the system also solves the problem.. any suggestions..?

@AKJ – Considering the random aspect of your problem, the first suspect is a virus. If you have not already, I suggest you update your AV software and run a full system scan first.

laxman on
Sat, 24th Oct 2009 4:35 am

hi anyone….i tried wat evr i found information regarding sound troubleshooting but i m really unsuccess ..plz if anybody can help me..i m using xp before i had installed real player n later i uninstalled now i m trying to watch youtube but video appears widout sound n noother in any website sound comes…plz let me know wat is the best 2 fix dis problem…………

@Nikhil – Where are you getting “no audio device”? And the properties of what, where show you that the sound drivers are working properly? In the Device Manager?
You have tried uninstalling and reinstalling the audio drivers?

Looks like a lot of people have problems with Windows XP audio. Mine is a little different. I installed “Super TV Tuner” and the sound from the TV program works fine but I don’t get sound from anything else. I uninstalled the TV tuner but that didn’t help. I have tried everything that I have been able to find on the internet but nothing works. Any ideas?

One other thing I can think of is that there is an issue with the codecs, although that does seem a little unlikely considering your scenario. So what happens if you use the Media Player to play an MP3 file? Plays fine, but just no sound?

You are right, Same with a CD. The only thing that puts out actual sound is a TV program.

luca on
Wed, 17th Feb 2010 2:37 pm

my computer isnt making any sounds we just not long ago downloaded windows 7 and had to reewipe the computer cause it made my computer go weird so how can i fix this propblem? please get back
cheers luca

@Tom – And you default playback device is showing the Realtek sound device? Not some virtual device from the TV Tuner software?

@luca – I am assuming that you mean you re-formated and installed the previous OS, Windows XP or Vista. In that case, the most obvious problem is that you need to install the sound drivers. Windows might not have the right drivers for your sound card by default.

Ramil on
Sun, 18th Apr 2010 2:19 pm

i put a sound card on the ISA slot but when i remove it, sound card on board didn’t work but before when I am using it(the on board sound card)there is a sound what happen? how can i fix the problem

@Ramil – Make sure you uninstall the drivers for the ISA sound card completely, that could be a problem.
Also check if the onboard sound card is enabled in the BIOS, possibly it was disabled when the ISA card was added.
After that check the Device Manager to make sure the onboard audio device is recognized and working (you might need to install the sound drivers for that).

ahmed on
Mon, 26th Apr 2010 10:07 pm

i checked every step that u mentioned but the problem is still happening ……….when i install the jack ,the pc read it ,and notify me that the jack was installed ,and the speakers are ok ,so what can i do to solve that problem ?????? plz notify me as soon as u can
………….thank u :D

@ahmed – One more thing is to check that the Windows Audio Service is running, as described in the article about no audio device.
But most of the steps above would actually not make sense if the audio service is not running, so that might not be it.
Did you check if the required audio codecs are installed?

Mark on
Tue, 1st Jun 2010 7:59 pm

Hey Anthony
My Probelem Is that I Cant Hear Any Sound Trough The Left Speaker. I’ve tried plugging the jack in both inputs on my computer, i’ve tried useing other speakers, i’ve looked in speaker volume and the mixer and every things normal

@Mark – So even with other speakers you have no sound in the left speaker? I assume you use the green OUTPUT jacks on the computer, not the inputs, right?
And just to make sure, you have fully inserted the audio plug into the jack? And you did check the balance setting in the Sound option of the Control Panel?
If that is the case, it could indeed be that the audio device is really broken, it is electronics, so it can break.
But at least try installing the original audio drivers for the sound card.

Leo on
Mon, 13th Sep 2010 9:29 pm

I have a problem with “hearing clear sound when watching movies of sort videos online, is like distorted sound but is with every playback sound from the internet. cant even watch and hear clear on youtube. Please your help would be greatfull.

@Leo – The first thing to look at is the Adobe Flash Player, as that is used for YouTube movies. Try updating or reinstalling it.
Also check your network connection settings. Try typing “ping -t http://www.yahoo.com” at a command prompt and see the reply time.

All of a sudden playback on all audio is slowed to half speed..youtube films, mp3’s..any audio file played by any program or website is suddenly sounding like a 45rpm record played at 33rpm.
I have gone to device manager and everything is checked and working correctly. FYI i am on a laptop clone running Windows XP SP3 with a built in Realtek AC97 sound card and up to date drivers. Everything was working perfectly and for years until last week when all the audio slowed down.

The only thing that is new is an entry I can only find in the audio console manager…713xBDA analog audio capture..which is a webcam app and for the life of me I can;t understand that since I have only ever used a logitech webcam and it is not attached right now.

The Realtek mixer say my output is set to 44.1khz same as always I think..and playback bitrate is set to 128
Any ideas? Thank You!

@Shai – That new audio device looks like the audio component of a TV Tuner device, and not a webcam. Did you maybe connect a USB TV Tuner? Have a look at the Device Manager and see if you can uninstall the device there.

Mike on
Thu, 7th Apr 2011 5:09 am

I am using my daughter’s computer. When I plugged in the headphones, I get a continuous music beat sound loop, it repeats after about 8 seconds, over and over….it never stops. I can hear others sounds the way I am supposed to, but I this music beat is always mixed in with it. So it is hard to hear other sounds.
If I go in the volume control and mute the “wave” volume bar, it goes away, but of course I don’t hear anything then.

@Mike – Most likely there is a program running on your daughter’s computer that is playing the music clip. Try closing all programs, and then check if it still plays.
If so, check the task Manager for any non-microsoft programs and try ending those programs as well. If you do that one-by-one, while listing to the headphones, you will be able to pinpoint the program.
Using the “msconfig” command you can control the startup programs and possibly deactivated a startup program that is causing it.

Ranjith on
Tue, 3rd May 2011 6:22 am

Hi friends,
For my system audio files playing fine in media player while playing video’s sound breaking. I have tried different video players and also i have reinstalled audio drivers. Please suggent anybody…………..

neil on
Wed, 22nd Jun 2011 10:17 am

very very clear advice and infomation thank you

bhanu on
Wed, 24th Aug 2011 6:18 am

i need which files and directories will be used for audio and mic, inside the windows xp operating system

Basit on
Tue, 6th Dec 2011 4:36 pm

Hi, i have the same Sound Driver which is shown in the graphics like “SoundMAXIntegrated Digital Audio”. The problem is that since i have installed windows xp golden edition my sound is not working and in the control panel in sounds and audio devices the volume,Audio and Voice tabs are completely disabled but when i go to device manager there it shows that all the devices are working properly. i used windows 7 before but there was no any sound problem but in windows xp it gives me sound error. plz plz plz help me with this problem cause i m just got tired of solving this problem for two weeks….

Basit on
Tue, 6th Dec 2011 4:38 pm

And i also tried to update the driver through internet but it’s not updating….

@Basit – There are quite a few variations of the soundmax audio device, so can you tell me what your model of computer is? Or what motherboard?
If not possible, then at least list the hardware id of the audio device in the device manager.
That way I can check for you and make sure you get the right audio driver for the soundmax audio device.

steve on
Thu, 12th Apr 2012 11:27 am

thx 4 sharing with us but it didn’t work out for mi so please try to get for anothrer solution!!

@steve – The solutions in the article are the most common generic solutions to generic audio problems in Windows XP.
If you can let me know what your PC or audio card is, and what exactly the problem is, I might be able to give you further tips.

Philp on
Sat, 21st Apr 2012 3:48 pm

My PC is an Advert T9404 which is preloaded with Medion BDA Analog Capture.
I presume this works in conjunction with the Medion SAA 7134 Capture Device.
The Device Manager of my Windows XP tells me that it is functioning OK and the driver is up to date.
My problem is that I can only capture video but not any sound. I know the sound is imputing as I can connect the anolog output to my TV with full sound as well as video.
Additionaly,I have C-Media Rear Panel Audio device driver cmudax (C-Media do not now exist according to the web) and this driver now has to be opened manually since a PC repairer re-installed XP on my C disk.
Can these problems be solved?

@Philp – Regarding the recording, have you made sure that the right audio input source is selected for the recording? By default this would be the line in or microphone input of the sound card, so you need to make sure you set the default recording input to the TV Card, or select it in the recording program.
The statement about the C-Media driver is not quite clear to me, how do you need to open it manually? Can you clarify that?

belash on
Wed, 25th Jul 2012 3:33 pm

sound

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